County punished after slow start

Report from Mark Vickery

Venue: Valley Parade

Bradford City 2 (Smallwood 7, Chapman 53)

Newport County 0

Attendance: 16,074

Match Rating: **

Form:

Newport County DLW

Bradford City dLW

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS
Despite injuries, County starting line-up includes just three new signings. Expecting Bradford to play direct so County stifle and do the basics well before thinking about pretty football.

CONDITIONS
Very hot sunny with light breeze. Pitch in excellent condition and slow on top.

SUMMING UP OUR PERFORMANCE IN ONE STATEMENT
Paid price for passive start and sending off impaired chances of any comeback

TURNING POINT
Drysdale sending off in first half injury time.

THE MATCH
County made as few changes from the team that won at Luton in the League Cup mid-week with goalkeeper Nick Townsend replacing Joe Day who was on the bench. There was another change in defence with Priestley Farquharson rested and he was replaced by Matt Dolan who slotted into centre defence alongside Declan Drysdale. County another change with right wing back Cameron Norman replacing Aaron Lewis who was on the bench. There were two changes in central midfield with Aaron Wildig and Scott Bennett replacing James Waite and Sam Bowen. County were forced into another change up top with Omar Bogle replacing Offrande Zanzala who was suffering a knock and partnered Lewis Collins in a 5–3–2 system. Bradford made a determined start winning a corner inside the first minute with Dolan forced into an untidy clearance to concede a corner right side which came to nothing. Bradford opted for some direct play from deep with County slow to close down their clearances allowing central defenders Crichlow and Platt to pinpoint Cook. In contrast, County were more patient in their approach play with some moves from deep with Bradford sitting back but they were tenacious pressing some mistakes by County in midfield. County were given a warning on 5 minutes when Gillead was given space to roam right side and pick out Banks who adjusted to shoot but Townsend made a comfortable save. On 7 minutes. Wildig appeared to pull up with a hamstring injury slipping on the surface but the referee allowed play to continue. With a man down in midfield, Bradford exploited County switching play quickly from left to right. Halliday did well to thread a low pass inside for Smallwood who drifted inside into acres of space and blasted an effort into the top right corner from 25 yards. County were forced into a change with Wildig replaced by Waite. County made efforts to pick up their game with Willmott constructing some good low moves right side. On 15 minutes, County built a neat patient move which culminated in Collins curling an effort from 30 yards just over the bar. County gained some confident from their build up play and another move right side on 17 minutes, saw Bennett play a smart low pass in behind for Waite to latch onto right side of the area. From an acute angle Waite could only strike his effort into the side netting when he should have worked the keeper. Bradford kept stifling County through the middle with sharpness to close down and deny space. Angol was effective with the ball at his feet left side and he showed flexibility on 23 minutes jinking inside and blasted a low effort from 25 yards just wide of the right post. County had a decent situation on 30 minutes when Bogle was fouled by Crichlow on the edge of the area. The free kick by Dolan went straight into the wall allowing Bradford off the hook. County put themselves in trouble on 33 minutes losing possession cheaply well inside the Bradford and quick break by Chapman was interrupted by Bennett from a tackle to recover through the middle earning himself a booking. County were dealt another blow on 35 minutes with Willmott pulling up with an injury and he was replaced by Sam Bowen. Bradford persisted with their direct tact which worked well to unsettle County. On 37 minutes, a move that typified the naivety first half saw County have the ball in a promising position high up in the Bradford half. Pratt stole the ball and his early direct ball pinpointed Cook. He peeled off a tame challenge by Dolan and set up an opportunity for Banks right side of the area. He adjusted well but struck a shot narrowly wide of the right post from 14 yards. County continued to probe away with the most penetration right side involving Norman and Waite offering some verve. On 42 minutes, County worked a more efficient move right side with Waite in a prominent position but he was unable to pick out the runs of Lewis back post and Bogle lurking. The referee found 6 minutes injury time at the end of the half and with Bradford pressing higher up the pitch County were forced into some rushed untidy passes. On 45+5 minutes, County were put in trouble from some lax passing across the face of the area and a heavy touch by Drysdale forced him to stretch for a tackle to deny Chapman an opportunity. Drysdale appeared to get to the ball first but the referee showed little sympathy deeming Bradford player was denied a goalscoring opportunity despite County having covering defenders close by. Drysdale made the long walk to the dressing room early but the free kick by Banks was blasted well over the bar from 20 yards.

The early stages of the scrappy with both sides squandering possession and unable to take care of the ball for 5 seconds. On 48 minutes, Crichlow lashed another loose clearance from near the “d” straight towards Bowen who picked out Bogle but his touch was heavy allowing Bradford to recover. On 50 minutes, Waite did well to carry a strong run right side of the Bradford area and coax an untidy foul by Platt but the free kick by Lewis drifted harmlessly wide of the left post. Bradford put the game to bed on 53 minutes when Cook was given too much space caressing a header left side to Chapman. He advanced and with no County tackle forthcoming, he ghosted past Bennett and tricked his way left side of the area and cut inside to place a low shot from 14 yards towards the right corner. Despite Townsend appearing to have the angle covered the ball managed to squeeze underneath him and just creep over the line. County made efforts to pick up their game winning some corners which Bradford managed to hook clear with Bowen flirting with goal on 60 minutes but the effort from 14 yards was blocked. County made a treble substitution moments later with Zimba on for Bogle and Evans replacing Collins up front. County also introduced Aaron Lewis for Dolan and he went right back with Norman slotting into central defence. The move gave Bradford more to think about with 4–3–2 formation and both Evans and Zimba working the defenders. On 65 minutes, County tested Bradford when a bold effort from 35 yards by Adam Lewis was saved low in the right corner by Bradford keeper Lewis. On 66 minutes, Lewis was again asking questions when his strong run through the middle was cut short by Banks who was cautioned. Bradford made a double substitution on 68 minutes to pep up their approach with Sutton on for Angol and Young for Banks. On 70 minutes, Waite was booked for late tackle tracking back to defend when Bradford right back Halliday pierced forward from deep. Another two changes from the hosts followed on 77 minutes with Oliver on for Cook and East on for Chapman. Bradford were happy to slow the game down and pass from deep in the final 10 minutes and with frustration increasing for County, Norman was booked when he tangled with Oliver who had made a strong run down the left flank. The game petered out in the heat and with Bradford content with their lead. The closest County got was in injury time when a long throw right side by Lewis was headed just wide of the right post from 10 yards by Bennett.

Townsend (6) — kicked well from deep with accuracy and made some good punches under pressure. Never got close the first goal and appeared deceived on the second goal.

Norman (6) — quiet game, made runs into wide areas up the pitch and did well in the air. Didn’t always get the ball when the break was on right side and he was well positioned.

Lewis (6) — saw little of him inside the Bradford half first half and got forced back to defend. Did better second half imposing his game and went close from distance but restricted on crosses.

Drysdale (5) — did well in aerial duals but some of this clearances and passing was anxious with heavy touch letting him down on the sending off.

Demetriou (6) — the most assured defender and coped well with pressure getting the ball away from under feet quickly under pressure. Provided some long throws without reward.

Dolan (5) — never looked comfortable in the air dealing with Cook and was too easily pushed off the ball. Made efforts to pass and switch play but struggled to settle into game.

Willmott (5) — never really got going before injury and was replaced by Bowen (5) — untidy passes put side under pressure on times, had a couple of shots blocked in and around the area.

Wildig (6) — contributed in moves right side before injury. replaced by Waite (6) — turned down chance to shoot on times, offered energy and craft with runs from deep but ran into dead ends.

Bennett (5) — slow to make tackle on times and always carried risk of being sent off after booking and struggled to deal with energy in Bradford midfield getting wrong side of his marker.

Bogle (6) — did his best work when he stayed in and around the box but often roamed to offer less effect and got caught in possession too easily. Had a couple of snapshots from distance.

Collins (5) — did a lot of running but anonymous for large parts, got brushed off the ball too easily and lack aggression to trouble defence. Too passive and no shots on goal.

SWOT ANALYSIS

Strengths — nothing spectacular, just did enough, snappy in tackles and were organised at the back and full backs contributed well with some good moves right side and low exchanges

Weaknesses — both centre backs were casual with ball at feet. Over reliant on direct play on times and left gaps through the middle of the pitch better sides would have punished.

Opportunities — didn’t really change from 4–5–1 and didn’t need to. Used direct play well to unsettle County first half and got the ball lower second half to prise openings.

Threats — Cook was robust in the air and linked play well. Chapman was intelligent final third and clever with feet. Angol offered good range of passing and vision.

OFFICIALS

W Finnie (6) — got the majority of decisions right and let game flow but looks to have got the Drysdale sending off wrong.

MAN OF THE MATCH

James Chapman — made Bradford tick and on the day his alertness to the ball and use of it was key with several strong runs left side.

IF YOU WERE JAMES ROWBERRY WHAT WOULD YOU DO?

County never really recovered after a slow passive start allowing the hosts to get an early goal and build confidence. At the moment, County are simply to predictable and easy to beat and need to introduce more chaos to their game final third. Even though the sending off ultimately changed the game, the seeds were sown long before with County not sharp enough to move ball from under their feet, taking too many touches and they couldn’t lay a glove on the Bradford keeper. County need to start turning sides around back to goal with measured passes. There were options on today from deep to move the ball quickly to wide areas but they often turned them down and checked back allowing Bradford all the time int the world to recover. Dolan had a poor game by his standards and changes need to be made in defence to allow either Bennett or Dolan to play but not both together which has been the case. Collins and Bogle were also not on the same wavelength and with ten men Evans and Zimba offered more teeth and threat in the latter stages of the game. County need to step up the intensity of their game in the series of home matches which are looking crucial. Next up is Salford City who have made a solid start to the season. They are likely to play 3–4–3 high pressing formation with Asante-Thomas and former Oldham striker McAleny up top. County need to deal with direct play into Asante-Thomas who will spin off weak challenges and limit the crosses from wide areas by Touray and Bolton. Salford will take risks but County need to punish them when gaps arise.